Internet Service Providers

Upon moving to Indonesia, one of the first things most people need is a reliable and fast internet connection. If you live in a major metropolitan area, there will be a bewildering array of choices.

While internet service providers (ISPs) in Indonesia are steadily improving, it can be a challenge for businesses and individuals to find a service that meets their needs and budgets. Service reliability can vary widely from place to place, even within the Jakarta area, so a good ISP in one area may not be so good in another.

The most reliable option may be a combined cable TV and internet package, which can cost as little as about $40/month (once taxes and fees have been added). Cheaper options may cause headaches.

The different types of internet access available include: broadband cable, fiber-to-the-home, mobile broadband wireless modems, USB modems, ADSL, satellite, dial-up and wi-fi hotspots. If you want reliability, the best option may be a combined cable TV and internet package.

Note that just because an apartment's management recommends a particular ISP, it may not necessarily be your only choice or the best value or reliability. Ask neighbors for advice on which ISPs are best and which are problematic.

Mobile broadband wireless modems and USB modems, which use a range of different technologies, may be good if you're often on the move, but they can be prone to extreme slowness and frequent disruptions. They are never as fast as their advertised speeds. USB modems can be purchased from electronics kiosks in many malls and at ISP company outlets from Rp 75,000 to Rp 699,000.

ISP Price/Performance Comparison

ISP

Technology

Quota

Speed

TV

Price

FastNet

cable

unlimited

6 Mbps

67 channels

Rp 279,000

Innovate

cable

unlimited

10 Mbps

46 channels

Rp 290,000

Max3

cable

unlimited

5 Mbps

76 channels

Rp 500,000

IndosatM2

cable

unlimited

1024 Kbps

none

Rp 500,000

Telkom Speedy

ADSL

unlimited

3 Mbps

none

Rp 685,000

Smartfren Connex

CDMA

9GB

14.7 Mbps*

none

Rp 150,000

Bolt!

4G

30GB

72 Mbps*

none

Rp 200,000

esia

CDMA

20GB

3.1 Mbps

none

Rp 200,000

* Actual speeds of Smartfren and Bolt! are invariably much, much slower.

Below is a list of some of Indonesia's ISPs. All prices listed in tables are monthly, unless otherwise indicated. Note that prices and packages often change, so check ISP websites for current prices.

FastNet is provided by First Media and is available only in parts of Jakarta and Surabaya. Check on their registration page to see if your location is in their coverage area. If you want cable TV and a reliable internet connection, sufficiently fast for instant streaming, then FastNet is probably your best option. In addition to its TV/internet Combo packages, FastNet also offers internet-only services.

After you complete the online registration form, a customer service representative will call you to make an appointment for an installation. The installation will cost at least Rp 200,000, including 30 meters of cable. Additional cable is charged at Rp 10,000/m. You don't pay the technicians but instead pay later electronically.

A downside of FastNet is that you have to use their cable modem, which has a monthly rental fee of Rp 20,000 to Rp 60,000 depending on which type of package you're subscribed to. You can't just buy the modem. You can however, buy a wireless modem from them for Rp 400,000 if you want to set up a wireless network. All FastNet charges are subject to an additional 10% tax. The hidden charges mean that their basic combo package of 94 channels and 6Mbps internet, listed as Rp 279,000, actually costs closer to Rp 380,000. This is still tremendous value. If you are late paying your monthly account, they will disconnect you.

Innovate uses Hybrid Coaxial Fiber (HFC) and Fiber To The Home (FTHH – a type of fiber optic cable) technology to offer internet and cable TV.

There is an installation fee of Rp 300,000. A SmartBox has to be rented monthly from Rp 40,000 to Rp 60,000 depending on the type of subscription. Prices do not include 10% tax and a monthly Rp 5,000 administration fee.

Innovate is owned by PT Mora Quatro Multimedia (MQM), which was founded in 2010 and is a unit of the Sinar Mas Group.

You will have to sign a six-month contract for an apartment and a 24-month contract for a house or office. New subscribers have to purchase a Rp 500,000 starter pack, comprising: cable installation, broadband cable modem (on loan) and set-top box (also on loan). Prices do not include10% VAT.

Max3 is part of Biznet Multimedia, which is owned by PT Supra Primatama Nusantara.

metroNET is a fiber optic broadband service for small-medium business, offering speeds from 1.5 Mbps to 75 Mbps. It uses two technologies: ethernet and FTTH, depending on the building location.

Installation costs Rp 1 million. A 24-month subscription is required. If you decided to terminate or change the service before the contract expires, you'll be hit with an early termination fee of Rp 4.4 million. Prices are subject to 10% tax.

This should be an option only if you reside in one of the residential complexes where it is already installed and you can't get anything better. IndosatM2 uses fiber optic and hybrid fiber coaxial cable with a maximum access speed of 1 Mbps.

Smartfren appeals chiefly to people who are constantly on the move and those who are trying to save money. It is notoriously unreliable and offers super-fast speeds that most users will never experience. Ironically, its slogan is: “I hate slow.”

The company uses CDMA and EV-DO (Enhanced Voice – Data Optimized) technology, which breaks down further to Rev A and Rev B (the latter being superior).
Users have to buy a Smartfren USB modem or a mini router, as well as a SIM card – and can then theoretically enjoy internet access from many locations. Pre-paid subscriptions range from Rp 50,000 (for a 1.75GB quota) to Rp 200,000 (for 12 GB) per month. The company often changes its prepaid plans.

Bolt uses Super 4G LTE (which means fourth generation mobile telecommunications technology using the Long Term Evolution standard, including ultra-broadband internet access). As of May 2014, the service is available only in certain parts of Jakarta and its satellite cities.

The company offers the astonishingly fast download speed of “up to 72 Mbps” but many users complain that Bolt is unreliable and they never get remotely close to the promised speed.

Bolt sells a 4G mobile wifi router for Rp 299,000, which can be connected to eight devices simultaneously, such as laptops, tablets, PCs and smartphones. The router has a battery life of about three hours and then needs to be charged. Bolt also offers a USB modem for Rp 199,000, and a home router for Rp 1,199,000.

Before buying any Bolt products, first check the coverage area map, which is riddled with gaps, and ask people in your area whether they find it works. Just because a vendor insists that your address is covered by Bolt, it may be useless. Credit, which lasts for 30 days or 60 days, can be purchased via BCA ATMs and ATMs with the Bersama logo, as well as at Indomaret convenience stores.

If you've tried and failed with Smartfren and Bolt and still want to persist with USB modems, then esia sells a wide range of CDMA EV-DO modems from Rp 75,000 to Rp 249,000. Service is reputed to be more reliable than Smartfren, in certain areas.

esia has a range of packages with different quotas. Many comprise a basic quota and a bonus quota. “Confirmation claims” need to be sent to activate the bonus data, which must then be used within seven days. It is an annoying process, designed either to reduce internet usage or to discourage customers.